by Mary Vermillion Research labs don’t typically draw crowds. But when the subjects are wheat and grains that promise the revival of a piece of Skagit Valley’s agricultural heritage, you’re bound to develop a following. And sooner or later, you’re going to need a bigger lab. Such is the case for Washington State University’s Bread[continue reading...]

MOUNT VERNON – Christianson’s Nursery is partnering with Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers (PNWGPG) to host the 7th Annual Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Sept. 30. Entries of giant pumpkins, and giant fruit and vegetables for the weigh off will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon. The weigh off will start at[continue reading...]

COUNTY – The WSU Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching courses are scheduled to kick off later this month, in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. The Cultivating Success course provides beginning and existing farmers with the decision making tools, production strategies and support to develop a small acreage farm. Learn about farm design and[continue reading...]

STATE – Taste Washington Day is a day for school districts around the state celebrate Farm to School and local agriculture. On Oct. 4, or a day in October they choose, nutrition services, school gardeners, teachers, administrators, and volunteers all over Washington serve school meals with local ingredients and do activities to learn about the[continue reading...]

WHATCOM – The Whatcom Conservation District’s Farm Speaker Series will offer “Discover Mud Management And Help To Winterize Your Farm” on Thursday, Sept. 21. Dr. Michael Anderson of Kulshan Veterinary Hospital and a panel of livestock producers will discuss livestock health, production and nutrition issues that arise due to mud and the cold, wet season.[continue reading...]

by Mary Vermillion Bellingham SeaFeast, a celebration of local seafood and the maritime industry, marks its second year Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23 at locations downtown and along the working waterfront. The biggest change from last year? More opportunities to slurp oysters, crack crab and savor salmon. “We surveyed over 250 people (last[continue reading...]

by Corina Sahlin I’m a sucker for baby goats. There’s nothing cuter than a couple of caprine kids headbutting each other, twisting and turning as they jump high into the air, and egging each other on to cause mischief. In 15 years of raising goats, I have attended every single birth of all my goats.[continue reading...]

by Jennifer Bryan-Goforth July is berry season, and canning is a great way to preserve the harvest. Whether you purchase raspberries at a local market or roadside stand, grow blueberries in your backyard, or hunt for wild blackberries, there is a recipe to help you enjoy those delicious flavors all year long. For those new[continue reading...]

by Terry Maczuga When many people think of adding fruit trees to their garden or property, they think first of apple trees. Apples are relatively easy to grow, and there is nothing like picking an apple on a crisp September morning and eating it right then and there. Doing just that was a big part[continue reading...]

Last year, while Chuckanut Brewery was building its new South Nut facility, they decided to take the year off from sending beers to the North American Beer Awards. Now that South Nut is up and brewing it was decided to enter into the prestigious, long standing beer competition. Chuckanut was richly rewarded with six major[continue reading...]

Ragfinery has a new event this fall for showcasing creative reuse, offering the Sewing Rodeo during two days in September. In celebration of National Sewing Month in September, Ragfinery will invite six teams of two to enter this friendly 2-day LIVE sewing and design challenge. Teams will be given their design parameters, and have one evening to envision their project, doing a[continue reading...]